About Maryam

Community Builder, Storyteller & Business Leader
Host, The Messy Parts Podcast | Co-Founder, The Longest Table & The Interval | Chair, WSJ Leadership Institute’s CMO Council

Maryam Banikarim creates spaces where people belong—in life, at work, and in their communities.

She is the host of The Messy Parts, a fast-growing podcast featuring candid conversations with influential leaders and creators about the unvarnished stories behind success. She is also the co-founder of The Longest Table, a neighbor-led movement that brings people together through shared meals, and The Interval, a peer community for senior executives and founders navigating transition.

Her work centers on bringing people together—whether around a table, in conversation, or at pivotal moments in their careers and lives.

A five-time Chief Marketing Officer, Maryam has led growth, transformation, and brand-building across media, technology, and hospitality, including at Hyatt, Fortune, Nextdoor, Gannett, NBCUniversal, and Univision. In 2023, she led WE ❤️ NYC, the Partnership for New York City’s award-winning civic campaign, which mobilized New Yorkers around optimism, connection, and shared responsibility during the city’s post-pandemic recovery.

Maryam chairs the Wall Street Journal’s CMO Council and serves as an independent director of OneSpaWorld. She completed her term as a trustee of Barnard College in June 2026. Her civic and nonprofit leadership includes serving as former chair of Reporters Without Borders USA and in board or leadership roles with the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, Prep for Prep, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Signals Network, and the Ad Council.

Her work has been recognized with the Open Plans Public Space Award for “Most Inspiring Community Connectors,” the New York State Senate’s Woman of Distinction Award, an Emmy Award and One Show Award for NYCNext’s New York State of Mind, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the Columbia Alumni Medal.

A Truman Scholar, Maryam has delivered a TED Talk, served as baccalaureate speaker at Hamilton College, and given the commencement address at Columbia Business School. She lives in New York City with her family and her dog, Charlie.

Topics

  • Building an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose

    In her presentation "Building an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose," Maryam Banikarim explores the growing importance of purpose-driven organizations in inspiring employee commitment and customer engagement. She emphasizes that it's not just about what an organization makes, but what it stands for, and how leadership embeds this belief into its operations. By sharing case studies from companies such as Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, and Gannett, Maryam provides actionable steps for building an organization through the lens of purpose, leading to outperformance in the market. The presentation offers a compelling and energizing purpose-driven playbook that can be applied to any brand in any industry.

  • Community is the new Cool.

    In her talk "Community is the New Cool," Maryam delves into the concept of community and its growing significance for companies aiming to connect with today's consumers. She discusses how modern brands are increasingly seeking to engage their most loyal customers and build "sticky" communities, providing valuable insights through best-in-class examples and case studies. The talk explores the role of companies in supporting and connecting with their communities, emphasizing the potential for business growth along the way. Maryam also offers a guide on how to create a successful community marketing strategy, highlighting the importance of identifying brand topics, developing effective community marketing strategies, and engaging in active customer conversations.

  • Life is an Obstacle Course: A Story of Perseverance and Community

    In this compelling talk, the speaker shares her personal journey of navigating life's unexpected challenges, from the Iranian revolution to the sudden loss of her father and the global pandemic. She explores the concept of viewing life's hurdles not as obstacles, but as an obstacle course, a series of tests that can be overcome with determination, resilience, and a sense of community. The speaker's experiences serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and the potential for adversity to be transformed into opportunity. This talk is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration on how to turn life's challenges into stepping stones towards success.

  • Embracing the Unexpected: Finding Joy and Purpose in Life's Journey

    Maryam Banikarim shared a personal and insightful journey reflecting on her experiences, from her childhood in Iran to her professional career, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. Maryam's narrative is interwoven with practical tips for finding meaning, community, and joy. She emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, taking action, and embracing the journey of self-discovery. Through her engaging storytelling, Maryam offers a compelling and relatable perspective on navigating life's challenges and finding purpose. Her journey serves as a source of motivation for those navigating their own paths and seeking to cultivate a sense of community, purpose, and joy in their personal and professional lives.

  • Moderating

    +Fortune | Most Powerful Women Summit
    +World50 | B50, M50, HR50, Women Exec 50
    +Columbia University | She Opens the Door Conference
    +Advertising Week
    +Promax

Speaking

  • TED Talk: Life's An Obstacle Course: Here's How To Navigate It

    Watch

  • Columbia Business School: Commencement Speech

    Watch

  • She Runs It Summit: Chaos & Curiosity

    Watch

  • HB | Leading an Organization Through the Lens of Purpose

    Watch

  • Women In Leadership Keynote | Finding Meaning

    Watch

  • Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit: Artifical Intelligence Changing Our World

    Watch

  • What is a Brand: Disney

    Watch

Testimonials

  • “Maryam's keynote presentation at our International Women's Day event last year was nothing short of phenomenal. As a speaker, she possesses a rare ability to captivate and inspire. Maryam not only delivered an impactful message but also provided the audience with actionable tips on clarifying their goals. The overall feedback from the session was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring Maryam's exceptional skill in leaving a lasting and empowering impression on our audience."

    – International Women’s Day, Disney

  • “You were amazing. Truly you really customized your presentation to make it perfect for our audience. Thank you so much…”

    – Annual Meeting, Cognizant

  • “Loved the can-do, try and try again approach to find joy and meaningful use of your gifts. Maryam is an amazing speaker! I FELT her presentation. She told such a compelling, impactful & passionate story to illustrate how important clarity is for leaders. I am so glad to have had the chance to hear her speak. Brava! Certainly, earned her standing ovation.”

    - Women in Leadership Conference, Linkage

  • “Maryam has the experience and style that engages her audience. Her authenticity, combined with her deep content, and empathy for our work brought out some great discussion. My team cannot wait to have Maryam back.”

    - People Team Meeting, Walmart

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In The Media

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